Watford

Watford's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and religion.

The population passed 90,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Watford increased by 13%, from about 79,700 to 90,300.

The addition of almost 11,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Watford was home to, on average, 30 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it Eastof England's second-most densely-populated district.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Watford

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Watford remained 35 years.

This suburban area had a lower average age than Eastof England and remained somewhat younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 2,800 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years.

About 15% of people in Watford are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Watford

The number of people in Watford from the White ethnic groups increased from about 69,000 in 2001 to just under 65,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 86% to 72% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Watford from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 7,000 in 2001 to just over 16,000 in 2011 (from 8.8% to 18%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just over 2,100 to about 5,200 (from 2.7% to 5.8%).

Just over 3,100 people (2.1%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 1,700 in 2001 (3.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Watford decreased by 14 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Watford that rented privately increased from 9.7% to 20% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 16%, while the percentage of Watford households that owned their home decreased from 72% to 62%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Watford increased by 10 percentage points

Percentage of households in Watford, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Watford

The number of people in Watford that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 13,000 in 2001 to just over 19,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 16% to 21% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Watford that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 53,000 in 2001 to about 49,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 54%). The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased from about 4,900 to about 8,900 (from 6.1% to 9.9%).

About 6,100 people (7.3%) did not state their religion, up from about 5,800 in 2001 (6.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Watford increased by 5.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of Watford residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.6% to 1.8% between the last two censuses.

The proportion who reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 0.9%, while

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.8% in 2001 to 2.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Watford remained close to 1.8%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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